Kessen

Short description: 2000 video game

Kessen

North American PlayStation 2 cover art

Developer(s)| Koei
Publisher(s)|

* JP: Koei
* NA/EU: Electronic Arts

Director(s)| Fumito Kozutsumi
Designer(s)| Tachiki Kanda
Norimitsu Komine
Fumito Kozutsumi
Takao Sakai
Masahiko Sugahara
Yōichi Wada
Ichiro Yasuda
Series| Kessen
Platform(s)| PlayStation 2, PlayStation Network
Release| PlayStation 2

* JP: March 4, 2000 (2000-03-04)
* NA: October 26, 2000 (2000-10-26)
* PAL: December 15, 2000 (2000-12-15)[1]

PlayStation Network

* JP: July 25, 2012 (2012-07-25)

Genre(s)| Real-time tactics
Mode(s)| Single-player

Kessen (決戦; "Decisive Battle") is a real-time tactics video game produced by Koei. It was a launch game for the PlayStation 2 in Japan and North America, where it was published by Electronic Arts. It was initially the only real-time wargame game available for the PlayStation 2.

It is a real-time tactics game set in feudal Japan, focusing upon a conflict between the eastern Tokugawa clan and western Toyotomi clan (with Ishida Mitsunari as the Toyotomi's guardian and protector) shogunates at the end of Sengoku Jidai. Tokugawa Ieyasu served as the primary representative for the Eastern forces where the Western army changed leaders based on the results of select key battles.

Although it was, for the most part, historically accurate, Kessen contained a number of "what-if" scenarios, for example, if the Western forces are victorious at the Battle of Sekigahara (historically an Eastern victory).

Two sequels were later created, Kessen II and Kessen III. These two games introduced magical and meteorological elements to the games.

## Contents

* 1 Cinematics
* 2 Development
* 3 Reception
* 4 References
* 5 External links
* 6 Features
* 7 History
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

## Cinematics

A note from the game's producer, Kou Shibusawa, addressed to players before any campaign begins, explains his desire to take his own twist on this segment of history but felt too constricted by cinema to do so properly. With Kessen, he believes that he was able to explore his ideas more freely. Thus, several of the game's cutscenes have a theatrical feel similar to chanbara and jidaigeki films.

Before each campaign begins, a narrator enlists a brief summary of the events proceeding the selected campaign to help familiarize players with the battle taking place. After the pre-planning of the battle is finished, a cinematic event occurs, often dramatizing character interactions or significant historical events that took place before the battle occurs.[2][3] Similar events also occur after the war council, during battle, and at the battle's end.

Among the historically accurate retelling of events, preference for the often romanticized accounts were sometimes used. Notable instances include Hosokawa Gracia ordering a soldier to kill her and Tokugawa Hidetada ordering the assassination of Sanada Masayuki for causing his tardiness at Sekigahara.[4]

## Development

Kessen was developed in one year with a budget of $5 million.[5]

## Reception

Reception

| Aggregate score

Aggregator| Score
Metacritic| 75/100[6]
Review scores
Publication| Score
AllGame| 2.5/5[7]
Edge| 7/10[8]
Famitsu| 32/40[9]
Game Informer| 8/10[11]
GameFan| 82%[10]
GamePro| 2.5/5[12]
GameRevolution| B[13]
GameSpot| 7.4/10[14]
GameSpy| 88%[15]
IGN| 8.1/10[16]
OPM (US)| 3/5[17]
Playboy| 75%[18]

Kessen received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one nine, one eight, one seven, and one eight, for a total of 32 out of 40.[9][19]

Some reviewers have described the game as redundant and slow.[20][21] Cutscenes were cited by one critic to be "the visual appeal to Kessen".[15] Graphics concerning the historical figures were also said to be "over-the-top" and colorful enough to the point of ridiculousness, though impressive.[16] What gained Kessen the most praise was the game's sound department, many citing the orchestral score to be "epic" with one critic noting the "English voices to be good and fitting". Overall, it is seen as a game for history buffs of Japanese history with a good but flawed presentation.[14]

The title won a special prize PlayStation Award in 2000. It was also nominated for the grand prize in the consumers' selection for graphics and scenarios.[22] It was a runner-up for GameSpot's annual "Best Strategy Game" award among console games, losing to Ogre Battle 64.[23]

## References

1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20010904124557/http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=3415
2. ↑ Kessen- Tokugawa's Rearguard. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2014-06-09. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
3. ↑ At Sekigahara, Shimazu Yoshihiro: So Ishida said, "Night attacks are for cowards! Go fight boldly!" He would not listen to me and now look what we face. Koei (October 26, 2000). Kessen. PlayStation 2. Electronic Arts.
4. ↑ Tokugawa Ieyasu: You had Masa Sanada murdered!? You fool! I detest such treachery!/ Tokugawa Hidetada But it was- it was because of him that we were late to arrive at Sekigahara! I just felt- / Tokugawa Ieyasu: What, more excuses... Leave my sight! I grow sickened by your face. Koei (October 26, 2000). Kessen. PlayStation 2. Electronic Arts.
5. ↑ "Interview with Koei". February 24, 2000. Archived from the original on September 30, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000930034248/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/00_02/24_vg_koei/index.html. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Kessen for PlayStation 2 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/kessen/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
7. ↑ Chung, Terry. "Kessen - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114231756/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25637&tab=review. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
8. ↑ Edge staff (January 2001). "Kessen". Edge (93).
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "プレイステーション2 - 決戦". Famitsu 915: 55. June 30, 2006.
10. ↑ "REVIEW for Kessen". GameFan. November 3, 2000.
11. ↑ Fitzloff, Jay (November 2000). "Kessen". Game Informer (91). http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200011/R03.0807.1221.28907.htm. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
12. ↑ Jake The Snake (October 23, 2000). "Kessen Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050113215903/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/7085.shtml. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
13. ↑ G-Wok (November 2000). "Kessen Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/kessen. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Sato, Ike (March 14, 2000). "Kessen Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kessen-review/1900-2545912/. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Carlock, Jamie (November 10, 2000). "Kessen". PlanetPS2. Archived from the original on February 15, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010215010049/http://www.planetps2.com/features/reviews/nov00/kessen/. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Smith, David (October 23, 2000). "Kessen". http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/24/kessen. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
17. ↑ Baker, Chris (December 2000). "Kessen". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010124041600/http://www.zdnet.com/opm/stories/main/0,11891,2646669,00.html. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
18. ↑ Ryan, Michael E. (February 13, 2001). "Kessen: Lights, Camera, Shogun". Playboy. Archived from the original on February 2, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020202201335/http://www.playboy.com/sports/games/kessen/index.html. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
19. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (March 2, 2000). "Now Playing In Japan, Vol. 19". http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/03/now-playing-in-japan-vol-19. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
20. ↑ Klepek, Patrick. "Kessen". Gaming Age. http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?sys=ps2&game=kessen. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
21. ↑ McKown, Kevin (26 January 2011). "Kessen". ZTGD. http://www.ztgd.com/reviews/kessen/. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
22. ↑ "Playstation Award 2000". GameCity. http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/products/info/ps_award2000.htm. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
23. ↑ GameSpot Staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 13, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020213041653/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2000/.

## External links

* Official Archived Page at Koei
* MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

## Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

## History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

## See also

* IGDB - game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/.
2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521.
8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned.
10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner.
11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames.
12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/.
14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/.
15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/.
16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.

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